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Medication

Xanax (alprazolam)

Xanax is a psychiatric medication available by prescription only. It belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines and is commonly used to treat anxiety-related disorders.

Learn About Xanax Treatment

Connect with a psychiatric clinician—online or in person—for a comprehensive evaluation. If appropriate, they may discuss whether a treatment like alprazolam (Xanax), a short-term option for acute anxiety, could be considered within a carefully monitored care plan.

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What Conditions Does Xanax Treat?

FDA-Approved Uses:

How Psychiatric Medication Prescription Decisions Are Made

1

Find a psychiatric clinician who meets your needs

Option 1

Search our psychiatrist directory to find a qualified provider

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Option 2

Locate a nearby clinic to schedule your initial appointment

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2

Meet 1:1 for a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation

During your first session, a psychiatric clinician will evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. If appropriate, they may discuss whether medication—including benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax)—could be considered. Treatment decisions like this should always prioritize safety, clinical best practices, and your individual needs.

3

Begin treatment and ongoing monitoring

Once a personalized treatment plan is established, your provider will monitor your response to any prescribed medication and adjust the plan as needed. If medication is part of your care, then, if clinically appropriate, your provider may handle prescription renewals online during or after regular follow-ups as clinically appropriate in accordance with LifeStance treatment protocols.

290+ Insurances Accepted

Aetna
Anthem/Empire BCBS-Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem/Empire BCBS, Anthem Blue Cross-Medicare, Anthem BCBS-Medicare, Anthem BCBS-Medicaid, Anthem BCBS
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield-Medicare
Evernorth (Cigna)-Medicare, Evernorth (Cigna) (HealthPartners), Evernorth (Cigna)
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Highmark Blue Shield, Highmark Blue Shield-Medicare, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield-Medicare
Kaiser Permanente (Southeast)-Medicare, Kaiser Permanente Washington-Medicare, Kaiser Permanente (SoCal), Kaiser Permanente (Southeast), Kaiser Permanente Washington, Kaiser Permanente (Northwest)-Medicare, Kaiser Permanente (NorCal), Kaiser Permanente (Northwest)
Medicare
Optum, UnitedHealthcare, Optum, UnitedHealthcare-Medicaid, Optum, UnitedHealthcare-Medicare
Providence Health Plan, Providence Health Plan-Medicare
Quartz, Quartz-Medicaid, Quartz-Medicare
Quest Behavioral Health
Regence BlueCross BlueShield, Regence BlueCross BlueShield-Medicare
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Struggling with Stress or Anxiety?

Struggling with Stress or Anxiety?

Everyone’s experience with anxiety is different. A psychiatric clinician can help you find the right treatment path—whether that includes Xanax (alprazolam) or another option that fits your needs.

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FAQs About Xanax

Yes. Xanax is a benzodiazepine with a high risk of dependence. It can be habit-forming, especially when used long-term or at higher doses. Even when taken as prescribed, tolerance can develop quickly, and stopping suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms. Use should be short-term and closely monitored by your psychiatric clinician.

photo of LifeStance provider Joshua Nathan, MD

Medically Reviewed By:

Joshua Nathan, MD
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Dr. Joshua Nathan, a Board-Certified Psychiatrist, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, sees stigma – from others and from ourselves - as the biggest challenge in mental illness treatment. He encourages people to not judge themselves on whatever problems they are facing, and he helps them feel safe to open up and allow for healing. Dr. Nathan takes joy in helping people with mental health concerns and values the trust patients place in him. Dr. Nathan treats adults struggling with mood and bipolar disorders, depression, ADHD, anxiety challenges such as panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD, PTSD, and more. He listens to each person’s story, observes how they are faring, and shares his understanding of what is happening, so there is a basis for starting or continuing treatment. He considers medications as one tool among many for healing and recovery in mental health. During treatment, Dr. Nathan uses an eclectic framework for understanding mental illness and coping. Trained in psychoanalysis, he finds that existential understanding helps many people reduce suffering, but cognitive-behavioral techniques are more practical in helping people move forward. Thus, he typically employs a combination of theories and techniques, guided by the patient's problems, needs, and experiences. He is also an Official ADHD Evaluator for the National Football League. Dr. Nathan earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a medical doctorate from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and completed postgraduate residency training at Brown University. He works with adults of all ages, but has a special fondness for working with young and middle-age adults.

References

  1. Drugs.com [Internet]. Alprazolam prices, coupons, copay cards & patient assistance; c2000–2025 [updated date unknown; cited 2 Sept 2025]. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/alprazolam#oral-tablet-0-5-mg

  2. Drugs.com [Internet]. Xanax prices, coupons, copay cards & patient assistance; c2000-2025 [updated date unknown; cited 2 Sept 2025]. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/xanax

In 2007, the FDA released a black box warning that antidepressants were correlated to the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 18–24) during short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric conditions. Gibbons et. al (2007) also published a study that found no evidence of antidepressant treatment increasing the risk of suicide attempts among its patients (ages 18-65+). The main message is that there is an inherent relationship between depression and suicidality so close monitoring of antidepressant-treated patients (especially children, adolescents, and young adults) is always necessary. For a comprehensive overview of these medications’ uses and risks, see the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug label.